Ontario plans to end seasonal clock changes in parts of northwestern Ontario, allowing affected communities to remain on daylight saving time throughout the year.
The proposed change would apply to Ontario’s central time zone, west of the 90th meridian, including Kenora and the Rainy River district. If implemented as planned, residents who currently change their clocks would no longer turn them back on November 1, 2026.
Most Ontarians, including residents of Brampton and the rest of southern Ontario, would continue following the existing schedule. Their clocks must go back one hour at 2 a.m. on November 1. The proposed measure affects fewer than one per cent of the province’s population.
The government intends to introduce the change under Ontario’s Time Act to keep the northwestern region aligned with neighbouring Manitoba, which announced plans to adopt permanent daylight saving time beginning November 1.
Provincial officials say maintaining the same time across the border would help businesses and simplify travel, health-care appointments and other shared services. Attorney General Doug Downey said the move would provide greater predictability and help prevent disruption in communities with close economic and social ties to Manitoba.
A broader change for Ontario remains on hold. Although the province passed legislation in 2020 to establish permanent daylight saving time, implementation across the rest of Ontario remains tied to coordination with Quebec and New York.
The province says that alignment is important for trade, financial markets and broadcasting. Until that coordination is achieved, most Ontario residents will continue adjusting their clocks twice a year.